The Akamai Reader

To Play the Lady January 30, 2012

To Play the Lady

by Naomi Lane

(also available in paperback)

Jenna Mallory is a tomboy of common blood who has been sent to be a Queen’s Lady in the Kingdom of Sevalia. Her magic is of the direct result of her mixed heritage unlike the noble blood of the other ladies of the court. When her magic is discovered a scandal ensues.

Even worse then that, she discovers a Dark Mage hiding in the eastern mountains that threatens the kingdom. He takes more then a passing interest in Jenna and her magic. Jenna finds out that coming to court will be more challenging then just learning to be a lady.

This is a rich coming of age fantasy novel. There is plenty of magic but there is a lot of her development that I considered very touching and sweet. Nothing too saccharine sweet though.  There’s even a budding romance.

Jenna is an extremely likable character that is well-developed. I found her tale easy to follow and the book was easy to read on the whole. It wasn’t a fact paced adventure, but it still had a nice rhythm to it. She’s an awkward young girl, but that makes her all the more charming.

The only criticism I have to offer is that the villain was a little too cliched and contrived. Still, that still didn’t detract from the charm of the book.

I look forward to the next book in the series and I was severely disappointed when I learned it wasn’t already published.

4 of 5 stars